Krishnapingala Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat Katha

Krishnapingala Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat Katha

Goddess Parvati said to Lord Ganesha, "Dear son! Ashadha Krishna Chaturthi is considered highly propitious. Please narrate the story, significance and rituals behind its observance. Which form of Lord Ganesha is worshipped in the month of Ashadha and how to worship him?" Lord Ganesha answered, "Beloved mother! In ancient times, Yudhishthira asked the same question to Lord Krishna. I will narrate Lord Krishna's answer verbatim to you. Please listen."

Lord Krishna said, "Great King Yudhishthira! I will now narrate the auspicious story of Lord Ganesha to you which is mentioned in religious scriptures, and which is remover of obstacles. Listen, O great son of Kunti! The form of Lord Ganesha which is worshipped on Ashadha Krishna Chaturthi is Lambodara. One must follow Vedic rituals to worship Lord Lambodara. In Dwapara Yuga, a King named Mahijit ruled the great Kingdom of Mahishmati. Mahijit was a virtuous and noble King. He looked after his subjects like a father care for his children. But because of his childlessness, he couldn't find any real happiness in grandeur of his Royal Kingdom. Vedas say, life of a childless person is futile.

If a childless person performs Tarpan - the ritual of offering water to one's ancestors - the water reaches the ancestors in boiling state. The King spent a lot of time thinking about this dilemma. To be able to father a son, he observed various types of penance, made donations and performed Yajna, but none of his efforts fructified.

As time passed, the King lost his youth. He reached old age but remained childless. Thereafter, he decided to consult with scholarly Brahmins, intellectuals and his subjects about this matter. The King said, "Venerated Brahmins and my subjects! I could not beget a child, please enlighten me about my end. I never committed any sin in my life. I didn't oppress others to extort money or abduct women.

I have always looked after my subjects like a father and ruled my Kingdom lawfully. I punished criminals and evil-doers. I provided for friends, thought about the welfare of cows and Brahmins and respected law-abiding citizens of my Kingdom. Despite all of this, why I remained childless?" The scholarly Brahmins replied, "O great King! We will make every effort to help you sire an heir." Saying this, they busied themselves to find a solution to the plight of their King. Brahmins along with the common people went to the forest to fulfill the desire of their King. They saw a great sage in the forest.

The great sage was observing rigorous fasting and hard penance. Similar to Lord Brahma, he had triumphed over the self, anger and death to become immortal. He was a scholar of Vedas, long-lived, eternal and versed in knowledge equivalent to many Brahmas. His name was sage Lomash. At the end of each Kalpa, one of his hair would fall. Thus, he came to be known as Lomash Rishi. The King along with his subjects and Brahmins performed Darshan of that great omniscient sage and stood in front of him with great reverence.

Upon getting Darshan of the great sage, people acknowledged that they indeed were very fortunate to get the Darshan of such venerated sage. Deciding that his sermons will certainly edify their minds and lives, they approached the great sage and said, "O Brahmarishi! Please listen to our plight, we have come to you to find a solution to our problem. Please do listen and suggest a solution to put an end to our sufferings." Maharishi Lomash asked, "Noblemen! Please tell me what brought you here? What do you want from me? Please elucidate. I will resolve all your doubts and dilemmas."

King's subjects answered, "O great Muni! We are the citizens of Mahishmati Kingdom. Our King is called Mahijit. He is protector of Brahmins, pious, generous, mighty and speaks sweetly. Our King cared and provided for us like a father, but such a magnanimous King never had a child of his own. Lord! Parents give birth to us, but the King is the one who nurtures and nourishes his people. We have arrived in this dense forest for our King's sake. O great sage! Please suggest a cure so that our King can beget a child because it is highly unfortunate for such a virtuous King to remain childless. We have arrived in this dense forest after consulting the matter with one another. It seems your Darshan was destined only because of the good deeds of our righteous King. Munivar! Please tell us what Vrat, donation, and worship our King should perform to get a son."

Maharishi Lomash said, "O devotees! Please listen carefully. I will be narrating the great Sankat Nashan Vrat. The observance of this Vrat blesses childless person with a child and poor with wealth. On Ashadha Krishna Chaturthi, worship Ekadanta Gajanana form of Lord Ganesha. Perform the Vrat by following aforementioned instructions and then donate food and clothes to Brahmins. With the blessings of Lord Ganesha, your King will soon beget a son." Listening to sage Lomash's words, everyone got up to their feet and stood with their hands folded respectfully. After paying their obeisance to the sage, the citizens of Mahishmati returned to their Kingdom. Then they narrated the whole incident to the King.

The King was happy after listening to his subjects and observed the Vrat of Ganesha Chaturthi as described and donated food and clothes to Brahmins. Queen Sudakshina gave birth to a beautiful and virtuous baby boy with the blessings of Lord Ganesha."

Lord Krishna said, "O King! This Vrat has divine powers. Any person who observes this Vrat with devotion enjoys all sorts of material and worldly happiness in life. Maharaja! You should also observe this Vrat by following the proper procedure. All your desires will be fulfilled with the blessings of Lord Ganesha. All your enemies will be annihilated and you will reign over your Kingdom eternally."

Lord Krishna further said, "O King! The most precious gem among Kings! A man who observes this Vrat with devotion, whether he is an ascetic or a learned scholar, he will beget progeny without any obstacles. Those who listen or read this Katha of Lord Ganesha will get rid of all the hurdles and find success in every field in their life."